New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-07-23
Il MISERABLE JOURNEY
Irom rns san franelseo Examiner.

James Gleason, age twenty-five years. resided with
his parents u farm near Ellington, Chautaulua
County, n. Y. but becoming tired OF the monoiony
of his Ito decided 10 come West. For this purpose
he was given money by his tatber and after tedious
trip no landed Tucson, Arizona. having $25 OF his
money remaining. lie had never learned a traue,
aud found t very difficult to get employment In the
Territory His struggles lasted tor some three
month, In that c,y, the young Kan earning an oeca-
sona dollar ut odd work, hut meanwhile his SANITY
funds had been sinking and be- could see nothing but
| eventual starvation oy remaining. while there was
hope tor him, he thought on this side OF tho Colorado
Desert.
He had 50 OF his money remaining. put between
Tuscon aud Los Angeles wide stretch OF 300
ui!es, mostly desert and with the exception OF SEQ
ton-hands along the railroad perfectly innocent OF
population. by paving 80 to the 0rakemen he man
aged ride freight trains ms tar as texas Hill,
sixts-two miles east OF Yuma where he was ois'
covered BY the conductor and forced from the train
There his luck deserted him. Abandoned IN the
desert, almost without money, wholly inexperienced
In the knowledge OF beating trains, sna without the
disposition to do there uctbing to do but walk
the remaining 800 miles through to the City vi the
Angels.
Taking couple OF wine bottles from the side oil the
railroad he filled them with wate tied them together
hung then, his shoulder and started on his long
tramp tor civ ilizaton At the end OF his second day
he landed IN Yuma, already foot~ore aud weary
Here another effort was made TO lind work but with
Alter two davs rest he started once more
and upon moro barren desert imam he mao
dreamed existed in tho world. IL was terrible
undertaking. bat behind was starvation, ahead was
lite aad possible He could not walk In the
day time, intense the neat lie On hio
way all night long, night after night ana IA MS feet
grew sore his bones weary, be staggered Ike
drunken man. When day came with its clustering
sunshine he would seek tho welcome shade Oh mana
car house. wiap his shoes IN his coat tor pillow, and
between the biIiny Of the huge dies which Unrest that
country, get what rest was possible u was desert
everywhere Tho white sand drifted IN huge pies
Ike snow, and the land swept the hot wind
clustering and scorobng all 1t touched and IN the
shade the thermometer registered IRON tio 10 i<'
At last there came day when life and death hung
evenly IN the balance. Young Gleason had started
for a walk from section house 10 another rather
late for such trip in such climate This distance
was eight miles 1t was almost 10 o'clock when he
neared the station, and seeing the building 20 close,
he raised the bottle to has lips and moistened them
with his last drop OF water. There was plenty more
to be had In only few moments walk! But horror
As he drew near he saw TOO PLAINLY no water or
was there Ii WAS lie and death struggle. Eight
miles more to walk with the very heat OF burning
an hut every siep forward cost struggle His lips
broke open and the blood oozed out Ills tongue was
so swollen he could barely breathe. ,,,
For moment he sat down on the Ties, Dut no roai-
lied that n stupor coming on him.
Lifei 1t was q precious word. and he rose to MS
feet and pressed on About noon. reeling ABOUT.
ac at crazy he came the section house, aud drank
deeply OF tie abundant water. toad
Until now he had had little trouble In buying 1000
nj the section houses. But here they at first refused
TO sell lie had 80 left. Finally he gave ono OF
theso Tor what he could eat and 1t was ccnsderaoe
The next two days he lived In comparative luxury
The third dsy, however. beng too independent TO
beg aud having money with which to buy, ne ate
nothing After his days fast his scrupes we're some
What deadened. aud on asking tor aid he was gwen
the only thing at hand "A can OF tomatoes.
Tbe next day which was the eleventh since being
forced from the at Texas Hill was sunday: ana
coming to dairy ranch he applied to the only person
on the place. a woykingman-for something to eat
The house was locked, and the only thing TO be had
was a pan of milk. which was greedly drank For
DAYS the traveller had beyond the desert the two
beautiful snow-oapped peaks OF Ban sorgonio, ana
toward which he struggling. Now they reared
their proud heights either side. and two peautnui
brooks bounding down the mountain eide gave
cheering reception to the wayfarer Up fhe steep esaas
he climbed and all about HIM were beaattui gardens
and orange groves. On The night OF the thir!een.n
day, after untold misery, the young man isoasd ~
Los Angeles His health was nearly wasted ana 700
proud TO send homo for money, his struggles were
no means ended On his long trip his clothes nae
becone dirty aud ragged, and his appearance was nen
that no one would have employed him. even hsd ms
condition permitted Of hard work At last no was
forced to leave the oty to find TODD ana started up
the coast Altar long wandering and many hardships'
no landed In San Francisco.
Ruined in health, but with spirit Jet unoonsnersd